Just keep working!
Yesterday I was able to virtually attend SCBWI Central California’s Artworks Sessions. All SCBWI events are currently online due to the pandemic. I think we all prefer meeting in person, but the nice thing about Zoom meetings is that people from all over the world can attend and usually for a fraction of what a conference and travel/hotel fees would cost.
About 35 illustrators met with Marissa Moss of Creston Books. She’s an editor and also an illustrator herself. She has a keen eye and he books she publishes are GORGEOUS. Much of it is the kind of work I want to do.
My main takeaway from the day was how concise and meaty her presentations were. She gave us a tangible list of what she looks for in a portfolio. I won’t share those here because it is part of her presentation and therefore I don’t want to take away from possible future speaking events.
What I will share is what her takeaway was from MY online portfolio. The one here, just a few clicks away. She said: My work is charming. There are lots of nice pieces. But, BUT… there isn’t a lot of variety. All the points of view are similar. All the distances from the reader are similar. How would an editor know I could carry a full book she said. She wanted to see different moods and emotions. Let me tell you, it stung. It sat burning in my belly for a few hours later.
That is how I knew she was right.
That is how I know I care enough about my work to keep working. To PROVE I can do better. I know I can draw those things… and I have. But I am not showcasing them properly. After I calmed down with my sketchbook and started drawing I came up with some new ideas for some new portfolio pieces. I’m excited about them and I chose subject matter I love to draw so hopefully I get hired for work like that.
It might be a bit of a slow go of it, as I am currently working on a board book with Ascension Press that I cannot wait to share! But I will get there. Here are some truths that I’ve noticed on my slow build into publishing:
Usually if a comment hurts and it’s constructive, its true.
The work will never ever be perfect, but that’s what makes it so fun. The journey of improvement and looking at how far I’ve come is quite satisfying.
This business really is subjective and even the best artists hear ‘no’ all the time. ‘No’ is a dirty word in our culture, but it shouldn’t be. In this case it should be a motivator.
Feeling crappy about your work means you care. It means you’re willing to put the very best of yourself out there and that you want to make work that means something to someone. Keep working at it! I guarantee it means something to many people already.
“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know” - Albert Einstein
Stay safe and healthy.
xo Candace